LiDAR, Drone, or Both? A Data Collection Guide

Data is everything in the aggregate industry, but gathering it can be a challenge.

LIDAR has many applications and, in recent years, it’s been adapted for use in ground-based systems in which laser scanners are mounted on vehicles such as pickup trucks, ATVs and railcars. Only recently, however, have scanners decreased in size to a point that they can be mounted onto unmanned aerial vehicles and drones. This latest iteration of the technology will have a huge effect on the cost, efficiency and accessibility of gathering high-quality data at many different types of sites.

For aggregate producers, there are a few key questions you should ask when deciding which technology is best for a particular job.